Yangtze River Economic Belt at 10: Unlocking new growth engines

Editor's note: Matteo Giovannini, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a finance professional at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a non-resident associate fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and a member of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

In January 2016, a high-level symposium held in Chongqing elevated the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) to a core national development strategy, underscoring its pivotal role in China's long-term economic transformation. Ten years on, the initiative stands at a new historical juncture. As it moves toward the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the emphasis has shifted from growing faster to growing better, with new drivers of innovation, green competitive advantages and stronger connectivity at home and abroad.

Stretching across 11 provincial-level regions and accounting for over 40 percent of China's population and economic output, the YREB is uniquely positioned to anchor China's shift toward high-quality development. Over the past decade, coordinated development, ecological protection and innovation-driven growth have become defining features of the region. Since 2025 in particular, more targeted and practical measures have accelerated the construction of a modern industrial system rooted in collaboration rather than fragmentation.

A central pillar of the YREB's next phase is higher-level technological innovation. The region already hosts some of China's most dynamic innovation clusters, including the Yangtze River Delta, the metropolitan areas of Wuhan and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone. The challenge ahead lies in better integrating these hubs into a coherent innovation network. This means strengthening cross-regional collaboration in basic research, improving the mobility of scientific talent and aligning industrial policies to avoid duplication and inefficient competition.

As China advances toward its 15th Five-Year Plan, the YREB can serve as a testing ground for deeper integration between technological innovation and industrial upgrading. Strategic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biomedicine and new materials are already gaining momentum.

By improving mechanisms for technology transfer and fostering stronger links between universities, research institutes and enterprises, the region can turn scientific breakthroughs into real productivity gains. In doing so, the YREB can help anchor China's position in higher segments of global value chains.

Equally important is the development of greener industrial competitiveness. From the outset, ecological protection has been a defining principle of the YREB. The emphasis on joint protection and "no large-scale development" has reshaped how local governments approach growth. Over the past decade, progress in pollution control, ecological restoration and energy efficiency has demonstrated that environmental protection and economic development need not be mutually exclusive.

Looking ahead, green development will become a source of competitive advantage rather than a constraint. Accelerating the transition toward low-carbon industries, expanding renewable energy deployment and promoting green finance can help the YREB lead China's broader climate and sustainability agenda. Traditional industries along the river, such as steel, chemicals and shipping, are increasingly adopting cleaner technologies and circular economy models. At the same time, emerging green industries are creating new growth opportunities and jobs.

Another key dimension of the YREB's future lies in enhanced corridor construction and resource mobility. The Yangtze River has long been China's most important inland waterway, linking the western hinterland with the eastern coast. Today, modern infrastructure, from high-speed rail and expressways to smart ports and logistics hubs, is expanding this role far beyond transport alone. Improved connectivity facilitates the flow of capital, talent, data and technology, enabling more balanced regional development.

As the YREB enters a new stage, greater emphasis should be placed on integrating transport, industrial and digital corridors. Building more efficient multimodal logistics systems can reduce costs and carbon emissions, while digital infrastructure can help overcome traditional geographic constraints. For inland regions in particular, enhanced corridor construction offers a pathway to deeper participation in both domestic and international markets.

Opening-up remains a crucial driver of the YREB's vitality. Beyond its role as an internal economic artery, the YREB is increasingly linked to global trade and investment networks. Strengthening coordination between land and sea routes, connecting inland cities with coastal ports and international shipping lanes will further enhance the region's openness. At the same time, expanding border economic corridors and improving links with neighboring countries can help the YREB play a more active role in regional and global development.

In this context, the YREB can contribute to shared global development by aligning its growth with broader international priorities, including green transition, supply chain resilience and sustainable infrastructure. As China continues to open wider to the world, the YREB's experience in balancing development with environmental protection and regional coordination offers valuable lessons beyond its borders.

Ten years after the Chongqing symposium, the YREB is no longer defined solely by its scale, but by its direction. By deepening technological innovation, advancing green industrial development, strengthening connectivity and embracing higher-level opening-up, the region is well placed to become a powerful engine of China's high-quality development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period and beyond. In doing so, it can also play a constructive role in shaping a more sustainable and interconnected global economy.

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